37th Mississippi Infantry Regiment. Major of staff shoulder straps with documents.

Approx. 4 1/4 x 1 1/2 in. straps (bullion darkened, general wear commensurate with age and use). Straps feature gold bullion borders and rank devices, black velvet centers, and paper backing. Provenance: descended in the family of Thomas C. Weir, regimental chaplain of the 37th Mississippi Infantry (war-date letter and documentation included in lot).

[With:] Weir, Thomas. Autographed letter signed ("T.C. Weir") to his wife. "Near Waterford, M.C.R.R." 8 November 1862. 4 pages, 5 x 7 7/8 in., creased, with some discoloration. With Confederate cover addressed to "Mrs. T.C. Wier, Enterprise, Miss." Weir describes a trip from Jackson to meet the regiment: "The weather was cold enough to render night traveling, on the cars, somewhat unpleasant, but with good rations and clothing along, our trip was quite tolerable. When we arrived at Waterford, we...met the news that the whole command was just in the act of moving..."

He continues, "I found our regiment all in line, just about starting, but waiting for the final order, which however has not yet come, and we are here in the same camping place. Our wagons meantime went on some ten miles below. The evening after my arrival, the wind blew a genuine norther. Such clouds of dust, such dirty-faced soldiers, officers and all, you never saw hardly ever. And cold? Whew!"

In the cold with no tents or baggage, they had to rely on large fires and whatever shelter they could find from the wind. "It has been rumored that the enemy were advancing upon us from Memphis, from Bolivar, and from Corinth, and that was the reason for our unsettled condition at present. Thursday evening about 3 o'clock, we heard heavy cannonading towards Holly Springs,...but it did not last long, and we have since heard that it was a cavalry skirmish...."

"I have had no opportunity yet to go up and see Doc and Tom, but intend to do so as soon as I can....I long and pray for the time when I can, in peace, stay with you all the time at home and preach the Gospel of peace of salvation...."

[Also with:] Estes, Henderson. Partly printed document signed (Henderson Estes, Surgeon P.A.C.S.") 9 April 1864. 1 page, 8 1/4 x 9 3/4 in., fully separated along horizontal crease, with spots of discoloration and some loss to edges and corners. Accomplished in manuscript, document is a Confederate commutation for quarters at Edward's Depot, Mississippi from the 25th of May 1862 until the 15th of August 1862.

Shoulder straps are attributed to Chaplain Wier’s friend and fellow officer, Surgeon Henderson Estes who served with both the 37th Mississippi Infantry and in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States. Although shoulder strap rank insignia, per se, were never part of C.S.A. uniform regulations, their use is well documented photographically. These straps exhibit some very unusual nuances that strongly suggest and indicate actual wartime local manufacture, rather than implementation of existing stock.

The Civil War Collection of James C. Frasca